Monday, August 3, 2009

Ferrari's Felipe Massa insists he will not rush back to Formula 1 ahead of his return home to Brazil on Monday."Thank God, I'm feeling very well," the 28-year-old Brazilian said in a statement. "I've only a bit of swelling in the region of my left eye."It is important to be fully recovered before returning to the track."Massa, who will undergo more tests in Brazil, had surgery for multiple skull fractures after a crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The accident appeared to be caused by a spring that had fallen onto the track's racing line from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn and collided with Massa's helmet.With Massa no longer steering and the throttle still engaged, the car then crossed the gravel before hitting a tyre wall.He is expected to continue his rehabilitation in a Sao Paulo hospital for another two days upon his arrival in his home city on Monday evening.After undergoing further tests he is then likely to be allowed to go home.Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has been brought out of F1 retirement by Ferrari to race in Massa's place for the European Grand Prix in Valencia.The German, a team-mate of Massa during his final F1 season in 2006, will stand in until the Brazilian is ready to take up the seat again.